Red Carpet Diamonds

Finding a home is never an easy task (especially in the Bay Area).

It took Evan Bloom and Leo Beckerman a year’s worth of pop-ups before they could put down roots: Their Wise Sons Jewish Delicatessen opens today in the Mission.

Beckerman entices passersby from the display window, where he shapes traditional Jewish breads (rye, challah, chocolate babka, rugelach, and bialy) for sit-down service or takeout (matzo ball soup and meats are also available to go).

Take a number at the quick-serve counter and mosey into the former taqueria, now outfitted with a half-open kitchen, self-serve bottomless coffee station, family photo wall, and gallery of Yiddish albums. Nosh on Beauty’s Bagels sandwiches and challah French toast for breakfast; Cobb salad, pastrami burgers, or smoked (on-site) turkey clubs for lunch. Roast brisket and stuffed cabbage are on deck for dinner (coming soon).

Can we get a mazel?

Wise Sons Jewish Delicatessen, 3150 24th Street, at Shotwell Street (415-787-3354 or wisesonsdeli.com).

Photo: Molly DeCourdreaux / Courtesy of Wise Sons Jewish Delicatessen

Certificate of Authenticity

Name: Online marketplace Mercantile.

Launch Date: February 2012.

Owners: Callie Jenschke and Nicki Clendening, who co-founded NYC interior design firm Scout three years ago.

Contents: Twenty-five pieces of one-of-a-kind furniture, antiques, and artwork culled from the duo’s dedicated global flea market shopping. They hone in on eclectic items with world-roved wear and tear (or those that look “loved,” in their words). See: a decorative African headdress crafted from colorful feathers (pictured); an antique geometric-patterned Turkish rug; an elephant-legged carved rosewood side table from India.

Expiration: When one of the items sells, the girls replace it immediately with another treasure.

Notarized Signature: Signed, sealed, delivered.

Available online at scoutdesignsmercantile.bigcartel.com, $300-$5,000 (prices vary based on selection).

Photo: Courtesy of Mercantile

“A bottle of Boone’s Farm followed by a Zima flavored with Skittles.” — Us, 1997

“Single-malt Scotch, please.” — Us, 2012

Responsible for this personal growth: Ricky Crawford, a former Glenlivet brand ambassador who throws the funniest and most informative single-malt Scotch tastings this side of Glasgow.

In today’s video, he gives us a miniature lesson on how to order — and actually enjoy — a glass of the good Scottish spirit. Do as he says and you’ll be surprised how many heads turn at the bar.

Crawford’s as charming as he is Scottish. (Yes, the man wears a kilt.) And now you can book his services for all your soirees (birthdays, bachelorette parties, etc.).

Just don’t take any cheap shots.

To book Crawford for a tasting, go to rickyshopscotch.com.

Listening to GOP candidates blabber about employment rates can get a little dull.

Fortunately, Job & Boss makes deliberations much more interesting with unusual accessories.

Collaborators Brook Lane and Kirby McKenzie generate artisanal items in an Oakland design studio. They call themselves a salvation company, but it has nothing to do with religion: The duo dips small batches of canvas and leather into natural indigo using traditional Japanese techniques. The result? Modern, one-of-a-kind goods.

Luscious blue patterns (made from resist-dyeing methods that employ clothespins, pole wrapping, and double dipping) add intrigue to clutches (that double as iPad cases), bucket totes, loop scarves — and even a new carpenter’s apron modeled after Japanese work wear.

They get our nomination.

Available at James Rowland Shop, 2447 Dwight Way, at Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley (510-848-8180 or jamesrowlandshop.com); online at jobandboss.com, $78-$310.

Photo: Brook Lane / Courtesy of Job & Boss

You can thank your mother for the ’tude, your Daddy-O for the J-fro, and your Irish granny for the stalwart liver.

Designer Rhiannon Griego’s heritage manifests itself in far more flattering ways in her jewelry line, Ghost Dancer. Her travels around the Southwest and Native American bloodline discern themselves in intricate beadwork.

The latest collection, dubbed Twilight for its silver, gold, black, and cream tones, evokes winter’s light with sea beads, oxidized brass, and tetrahedron Ethiopian beads. But the creations are no subtle illusion: Shoulder- and chest-grazing earrings and fringe bib necklaces mimic bold Native Navajo loom work; the sheer length makes traditional technique modern.

One-of-a-kind pieces are made for two of the shops that carry the line: Find turquoise inflections at Fiat Lux and heavy chains and feathers (sourced from Native American trading posts) at Five & Diamond.

They ain’t your mama’s baubles.

Available at Fiat Lux, 218 Church Street, at Market Street (415-312-8413 or fiatluxsf.com); Five & Diamond, 510 Valencia Street, between 16th and 17th Streets (415-255-9747 or fiveanddiamond.com); online at ghostdancercollection.com, $45-$345.

Photo: Courtesy of Ghost Dancer

When it comes to cracking codes, you’re right up there with Morse, Bond, and Einstein.

But it doesn’t take a genius to decipher simply stunning jewelry.

Case in point: Kathleen Whitaker’s understated Dot and Dash earrings collection.

A fan of freestyle mixing and matching, the ceramist/bonnet maker/jewelry designer casts fourteen-karat gold posts and sells them individually. (Two of our favorite West Coast boutiques, Mohawk General Store and Totokaelo, snapped up the line within months of spotting Whitaker at L.A.’s Echo Park Craft Fair.)

Sequin-style studs, staple bars, and multipost rods (think knuckle-duster rings for your ears) add up to sets that say “Indeed, I am a badass,” without shouting it from the rooftops.

And that we read loud and clear.

Available online at generalstore.com, gravelandgold.com, or totokaelo.com, $35-$230. For more information, go to khwjewelry.com.

Photo: Serena Mitnik-Miller / Courtesy of General Store

Yadda, yadda, yadda.

SEE
Seinfood: an Art Show About Nothing
What: Head to Pot + Pantry’s new digs for the opening reception of local artist Rinee Shah’s Seinfeld-inspired works (on display thru Mar. 10).
Why: You love the black and white.
When: Tonight, 7-9 p.m.
Where: 593 Guerrero St., at 18th St. (415-206-1134).

FOLLOW
DailyCandy on Pinterest
What: Our just-launched pin boards cover everything from food and fashion to weddings and kids’ parties (beautifully, of course).
Why: Recipes, the latest street style, decorating ideas, and more.
When: You need a little inspiration.
Where: Online at pinterest.com/dailycandy.

DRINK
Southpaw Black Beer & BBQ
What: Close out SF Beer Week with three courses ($45 prix fixe) of smoky Southern BBQ paired with four black beers (including Southpaw’s in-house porter), like smoked catfish cake with Lucky Hand Black Lager.
Why: You like your beer like your coffee.
When: Tonight, 5-10:30 p.m.
Where: 2170 Mission St., b/t 17th & 18th Sts. (415-934-9300).

LISTEN
Meet and Eat with SF’s Hottest Culinary Crew
What: Join Inforum’s panel as a handful of the city’s most exciting chefs (Brandon Jew of Bar Agricole, pastry chef William Werner, Michael Gaines of Flour + Water, Evan Rich of Chefs’ Night Off, and Brett Cooper of Outerlands) discuss ingredients, collaborations, and culinary competition.
Why: Follow it up with a five-course dinner (local halibut with bone marrow vinaigrette, chilled sunchoke soup, roasted black cod, and more) from the group.
When: Panel, tonight, 6:30 p.m.; private dinner, Mon., 7-9 p.m.
Where: Panel, Commonwealth Club, 595 Market St., at 2nd St., 2nd flr. (415-597-6700); dinner, Bar Agricole, 355 11th St., b/t Folsom & Harrison Sts. Panel tickets ($25) online at commonwealthclub.org; dinner tickets ($105) at 415-355-9400.

FETE
Fat Tuesday at Boxing Room
What: Celebrate the Southern holiday with Cajun/Creole fixin’s (duck and sausage jambalaya, $2 Gulf oysters), Abita’s Mardi Gras bock on tap, and king cake by pastry chef Bill Corbett.
Why: Aaron Leese and The Panhandlers bring the jazz and blues 7-10 p.m.
When: Tues., 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. & 5-11 p.m.
Where: 399 Grove St., at Gough St. (415-430-6530).

PARTY
ZeroCater’s Food-for-All
What: Ramp up for Taste of the Nation with the preparty event serving bites from local vendors (eats from Radius and Three Babes Bakeshop, drinks by Lagunitas Brewing Company and Toasted Head Wines), plus one lucky attendee wins a $150 dinner at any local restaurant from Google Places.
Why: All the proceeds benefit Share Our Strength.
When: Wed., 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Where: ZeroCater, 875 Sansome St., at Broadway (415-658-5556). Tickets ($10) online at zerocaterfoodforall.eventbrite.com.

Art: Rinee Shah / Courtesy of Pot + Pantry

Unleash the beast.

CARRY
Anicase
What: The cheery, colorful 3-D iPhone cases ($20 each; get 15 percent off with code dailycandy15) are modeled after furry friends (pandas, tigers, leopards, owls) in danger of becoming extinct.
Why: It’s a call to action you’ll want to take — 10 percent of net profits is donated to protecting endangered species.
Where: Online at anicase.com.

FOLLOW
DailyCandy on Pinterest
What: Our just-launched pin boards cover everything from food and fashion to weddings and kids’ parties (beautifully, of course).
Why: Recipes, the latest street style, decorating ideas, and more.
Where: Online at pinterest.com/dailycandy.

ORDER
Good & Lovely
What: A personalized, thoughtful monthly subscription service ($14 and up) delivers the necessary supplies for when your inconsiderate, irritating cousin Flo comes to town.
Why: Cramp-relief heat packs, bath salts, chocolates, and Moroccan Mud Spa Bar samples.
Where: Online at goodandlovely.com.

BUY
Craft & Culture
What: Seattle-based shop showcasing a revolving cast of emerging artists with a sleek, postgrunge look that might make you break out your Nevermind CD.
Why: Elizabeth Patterson’s golden Arkansas quartz necklace ($120), Meghann Sommer’s Letaiyo necklace ($95) with recycled silver fox fur, and much more.
Where: Online at craftandculture.com.

SEND
Besotted Brand
What: Tristan B. recently launched a bespoke custom-design studio, full of clean-lined stamps, envelopes, labels, tags, and waxed linen twine bound in mini hatboxes.
Why: Say hi with the DIY stationery kit ($25), complete with “hello” calligraphy stamp and Euro-style true kraft envelopes.
Where: Online at shop.besottedbrand.com.

Photo: Courtesy of Anicase

Top Chef, Season Four

Padma: Chef Hopfinger, please pack your knives and go.

Erik: That’s cool. I’ve got a gig in SF.

Tom: Do tell.

Erik: Formerly 2223 Restaurant, Jake’s on Market opens tonight. We’re keeping the neighborhood vibe alive with booth seating, historical photos of the Castro, a dineresque menu, weekend brunch (starting February 25), and late-night bites like chicken tenders and Maui onion rings.

Padma: You know I’m a midnight eater.

Erik: Girl, I see you mowing Southern fried chicken and ground-to-order burgers into the wee hours.

Gail: Comfort food, eh? Is fried chicken really a winner?

Erik: You bet your judgey ass. But for finer moments, opt for the cider-brined pork chop, crab-and-shrimp-stuffed sole, or Moroccan-spiced lamb with pomegranate molasses.

Tom: All this food talk is making me thirsty.

Erik: There’s wine on tap, and we’re shaking cocktails with fresh fruits and zesty spices at the marble bar. Top that.

Jake’s on Market, 2223 Market Street, between 16th and Sanchez Streets (415-431-0692 or jakesonmarket.com).

Photo: Schuyler Bailey / DailyCandy

We’d be lying if we said unlimited coconut water and granola bars weren’t huge incentives for going backstage during New York Fashion Week.

But it’s also pretty freaking cool to be surrounded by beauty’s greatest talents as they do their thing.

In today’s videos, we venture into the chaos and ask the experts to give us the inside track on the looks at some of our favorite shows. We get a floral nail-art tutorial at Rachel Antonoff (above) and explanations/inspirations for the asymmetrical chignons at Suno, avant-garde braids at Creatures of the Wind, and loose ponytails at Tracy Reese. 

As always, some are more wearable than others.

But at least they won’t take up any room in your purse.

Want to keep watching? Check out our backstage beauty videos for the spring/summer 2012 shows at Timo Weiland, Erin Fetherston, and Rebecca Minkoff. And by all means, read up on current Fashion Week shows on our Tumblr.

You know when you pull your hair back to wash your face and somehow it looks so good you wish you were going out? Okay, so maybe that’s happened only once. But it’s the same accidental elegance Kérastase’s Odile Gilbert channeled for Suno last Friday night. In this video, she discusses the hairstyle and her inspiration.

Want to keep watching? Check out our backstage videos at Rachel Antonoff, Tracy Reese, and Creatures of the Wind.

We love seeing ponytails on the catwalk (it gives our go-to look sartorial credibility). In this case, Tresemmé stylist Jeanie Syfu kicks the simple style up a few notches by leaving front sections out and pinning them over the rubber band. Watch this video to learn how she does it. 

Want more? Check out our backstage videos at Rachel Antonoff, Suno, and Creatures of the Wind. 

If you can whip up a covetable do using butterfly clips, matted braids, and glitter, then you must be a miracle worker. Or you’re Kérastase stylist Odile Gilbert, who did exactly that at Creatures of the Wind last Thursday. In this video, Gilbert (the master behind the hair for Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette) explains her look.

Want more? Check out our backstage videos at Rachel Antonoff, Tracy Reese, and Suno.

We have a serious crush on a pair from Portland.

No, it’s not Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein (though they do stir our heart). We’re seeking long-term commitment with the gals from Duchess Clothier and Elizabeth Dye.

The bespoke duo represents a powerhouse of design from our alternative neighbor to the north, and they’ve opened a little shop of indie wedding love in the Mission.

The showroom-cum-studio separates into two dimensions: Step off of Folsom into the dapper Duchess Clothier with gray walls, a vintage wood table, and shelves of fabric books; upstairs is the dissimilar, girly world of Elizabeth Dye, with puffs of tulle, paper pinwheels doting on a skylight, and a rack of dresses (her collection of twelve and limited editions).

Both accommodate custom options, whether it’s a full suit or the gauzy creation from your dreams. Stop in on Saturdays (Duchess only) or make an appointment for something made to measure.

Either way, they’re yours.

Duchess and Elizabeth Dye, 2590 Folsom Street, at 22nd Street. For more information on Duchess Clothier, call 503-281-6648 or go to duchessclothier.com; Elizabeth Dye, call 503-224-0724 or go to elizabethdye.com. Duchess Clothier custom suits are $1,250-$3,800. Elizabeth Dye collection dresses are $900-$2,600; custom dresses start at $1,800.

Photo: Courtesy of Elizabeth Dye

We’ve bowed to the altar of Madonna for years, but sometimes even the best need a boost. (Case in point: calling in the young guns to put some pep in Madge’s step.)

The best way to express yourself? Don’t hate — collaborate.

In that vein, designer Jeffrey Campbell and eco boutique Convert team up to answer our footwear prayers with a fetching line of vegan shoes. Imagine Campbell’s playful silhouettes and prints in animal- and environment-friendly materials, then prepare for cruelty-free foot envy.

Though red hopi All Caps and Martini flats take you chicly through winter, our favorite styles are those bound for spring break holidays. The faux snakeskin Azores with braided jute begs for a jaunt to Baja. Feel the Miami heat in Glide’s chevron top and architecturally marvelous wood heel or cherish sweet Regina’s woven wedge en route to wine country.

It’s some fancy footwork.

Available at Convert, 1809 4th Street, between Hearst Avenue and Delaware Street, suite b (510-649-9759 or convertstyle.com), $107-$199.

Photo: Courtesy of Convert

Dear Cupid,

My only complaint about my beau is that he hogs the grub when we go splitsville. How can I make sure I get my fair share of mac ’n’ cheese?

Yours,
Starving in SF

’Sup Starving,

The answer is simple: Become a heartbreaker with Heart Parts eating utensils.

The florescent, palm-size tools are meant to be cracked in half, then used to stab, scoop, or even cut your nosh of choice. Product designer Fatima Fazal created them to bring the love back to sharing a meal.

Heart Parts come in boxes of ten, so they’re great for parties. Because they’re dishwasher safe, made with 66 percent less plastic than similar wares, and are completely biodegradable, you can enjoy your supper without guilt.

Even if you’re fed up with him, at least you’ll be properly fed.

Xo,
The Guy with the Arrow

Available online at iheart-this.com, $10.

Photo: Courtesy of Heart Parts